Erling Haaland debuts a buzz cut, replacing his iconic blonde locks and sparking jokes, memes, and reactions from football stars and fans.

Erling Haaland has shocked football fans by changing his iconic long blonde hair with a sharply cropped buzz cut ahead of the new Premier League season. The Manchester City striker revealed the transformation on digital platform, turning his famous hairstyle into an instant talking point. His old flowing blonde locks had become closely linked with his image, inspiring jokes, memes, wigs and even lookalike contests during his memorable 2026 World Cup campaign.

Haaland Unveils His Dramatic New Look

Haaland documented the haircut process in a video, appearing nervous before the first section of hair was removed. He eventually embraced the new style, sharing the finished look with his followers alongside the message, “New season, new trim.”

The 26 year old also revisited several hairstyles from his career before making the change, adding humor to the transformation. His famous long blonde hair had become one of football’s most recognizable looks, making the buzz cut an especially noticeable change.

  • Haaland replaced his signature locks with a buzz cut.

  • His new hairstyle quickly became a social media sensation.

  • Fans previously turned his hair into memes and wigs.

  • Former teammates reacted humorously to Haaland’s transformation.

  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic jokingly criticized Haaland for cutting it.

Teammates and Legends React to the Haircut

Haaland revealed his new look by calling a number of popular figures. Former City manager Pep Guardiola praised Haaland's hair, while colleague Jack Grealish of Manchester City remarked that the striker appeared much younger.

The Norwegian looked much younger, according to Oasis singer Noel Gallagher, who also welcomed the change. But Zlatan Ibrahimovic's response was the most striking. Recalling Ibrahimovic's previous admonition to never cut his hair, Haaland joked that the former Sweden great thought his strength was related to it. When Ibrahimovic saw the buzz cut, he reacted in a sarcastic way.

From World Cup Memes to Premier League Spotlight

During the 2026 World Cup, Haaland's hair had already taken center stage in his football identity. With fans donning Haaland wigs, posting memes about his appearance and running technique, and taking part in a lookalike contest in Miami, his performances for Norway contributed to a surge of online attention.

Haaland enters a new era at Manchester City with manager Enzo Maresca, alongside his new hairstyle. Haaland may not have scored, but Manchester City was able to bounce back after falling behind early in order to beat Bournemouth in their first match in the Premier League.

Business Fortune believes that Haaland’s bold haircut has added fresh excitement to his evolving image as football’s global superstar.

 

FAQs

Why did Erling Haaland cut his long hair?

Haaland decided to start the 2026/27 Premier League season with a new buzz cut, joking that he wanted a military-style look.

How did Pep Guardiola react to Haaland’s new haircut?

Guardiola was surprised by the change and said Haaland was lucky to have hair, adding that he would love to have it.

What did Zlatan Ibrahimovic say about Haaland’s haircut?

Ibrahimovic was unimpressed and jokingly told Haaland to block him and erase his number after seeing the new hairstyle.

How did Jack Grealish react to Haaland’s buzz cut?

Grealish laughed at the transformation and told Haaland that he looked about 10 years old.

Did Haaland score in Manchester City’s Premier League opener?

No. Haaland did not score against Bournemouth, although Manchester City came from behind to win 2-1 with late goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol.